AEScripts Paint Stick v2.1.2c for After Effects: The Ultimate Vector Paint Plugin Review
Published by: Motion Graphics Today
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Software Compatibility: Adobe After Effects CC 2019 – CC 2024 (Native M1/M2 Support)
The release of Paint & Stick v2.1.2c marks a specialized update for one of After Effects' most innovative tools, designed by Aescripts to streamline the traditionally tedious process of cel animation and 3D painting . The Evolution of "Stick" Technology
: Back in After Effects, Paint & Stick used this pass to "glue" any 2D composition—even live, animated ones—onto the 3D object. Live Updates
- Adobe After Effects CC 2015 or later (Windows or macOS)
- A compatible computer with sufficient RAM and processing power
Manually drawing frame-by-frame in After Effects is possible using the Brush tool, but it is unbearably slow. You cannot easily edit a stroke, change its color globally, or loop a wobble without rasterizing the entire layer.
This update to the beloved Paint Stick plugin promises to bridge the gap between the natural chaos of a paintbrush and the cold precision of After Effects keyframes. In this article, we will explore every nook of version 2.1.2c, from installation to advanced compositing workflows.
While earlier versions like Paint & Stick Public Beta focused on testing the live-stick composition feature, the v2.1.2c update represents the stable, refined iteration of these tools . It maintains compatibility with modern After Effects versions while fixing stability issues found in the 2.0 initial launch, ensuring that "Erase Sticky Paint" functions correctly as a stuck matte rather than a literal eraser .
Paint & Stick Tutorial: Getting Started with Paint & Stick 1.5